Bistrot L'Estrapade — Restaurant in Paris

UTMOST DELICIOUS - Il faut y aller +++ Très bonne cuisine ++ Like a film 50 years ago ++ GREAT

PRAELUDIUM, necessary for understanding, please : It is said that the Parisiens have the attitude to live mostly not simply in the City, but in their "arrondissement" (quarter) of the City, like a rural village. So, I do, now for over 30 years, having adopted the 5. (fifth) Arrondissement as "my village". All around, inter alia, the "Place du Panthéon". As with a village, "Arrondissements" have a caracter of its own, and a structure of its own, for sure. For that reason, by the way, Leo Mallet, the famous writer of "romans noirs", dedicated his books to "Arrondissement" X or Y. Against simple expectation, today and for quite some time, the 5. Arrondissement is "quite an address", in fact really wealthy and well running. Potentially, it is certainly a very "Parisien" Arrondissement, means very well reflecting - in a certain way - the caracter of the City itself. And it is not boring. To the difference of the 16th, were a hell of very rich (and boring) people are staying, it is an Arrondissement full of colourful life. As to the BISTRO : Wonderful place. If you have seen many films of Francois Truffaut, and, also, many films of Claude Chabrol, you would be despaired, as it is nicely said. And, then, may be, Louis Malle (a long time dead) would open the door, look at the Pictures hanging on the wall, and would sit down. You must know (Atlantic City) that Louis Malle (Lucien Lacombe, a miracle) married in one of the most wealthiest families of France, for good. The food is absolutely great (delicieux), and you can see the main kitchen lady on the photographs. She is of an extraordinary kindness, indeed very sweet. And she will give you good recommendations with respect to the "menu". The two evenings I came her son was serving, with talent. The owner : Revert to Louis Malle, as above. If Hotel needed : Grands Hommes, around the Corner, Place du Panthéon. Great place ! You will have a good sleep after a fine dinner ! Feel...

This is a cute new spot in the 5e, tucked on corner of a street. I walked in because it felt welcoming from the outside. I walked in at 19:00 on a Friday, early for Frenchies 🥖😂. I could tell I caught the lady owner of the place off guard 🤤, poor lady.

Anyhow, I sat down at a corner table next to the kitchen, being serenaded by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.

The lady was quite candid that she bought the place a few months ago and opened about a month ago. Come support her!

Around 20:00, the Frenchies started coming, both a family and a group of young guys "du métier"...from the trade. I could overhear the conversation from the family explaining the history of the place: it has a vibe to it.

I had the Oeuf Mayo, with the eggs cooked to perfection (slightly slightly moist in the inside, with home made mayo).

I followed it up with the faux filet steak, cooked medium rare to perfection. The meat, all French 🍖, tastes really good. Coming from the states, I appreciated the style of the fries 🍟😂 (if you know, you know... Frenchies...🙄).

I appreciated the crunchy, thick carrots 🥕 in the salad, and the tangy, mustardy feeling of...

I think we may have been unlucky reading other reviews… I started with the duck terrine… okay but nothing special… the jelly was a little hard which was off putting… my husband really enjoyed his boeuf bourguignon but the suckling pig I had was disappointing… just about cooked but very little crispy skin. The hostess also said she didn’t have any vegetables and maybe she would send her son out for some… she didn’t so the roast suckling pig came with some very buttery potato puree and a little sad looking salad… on this evening she said she was cooking as her chef was away. We did revisit a couple of nights later due to the good reviews. We shared the breaded Camembert which were nice… I had the chicken and French fries with a mushroom sauce, again with a lacklustre salad. All very average. My husband had the bourguignon again but with French fries. We shared a Creme brûlée which was lovely. The chef had by now returned but the food wasn’t greatly improved in my opinion… the restaurant was also quite empty on the second occasion which didn’t add to...